Sex differences and personality correlates of spontaneously generated reasons to give gifts.

Abstract

In an act-nomination (N = 15) and an act-frequency study (N = 235), we attempted to assess spontaneously generated reasons for gift-giving and how these reasons differed across the sexes and as a function of individual differences. Primarily, both sexes gave gifts for special occasions and to build or maintain interpersonal relationships. However, men were more likely than women were to want to build and maintain one particular type of interpersonal relationship, that being romantic/sexual relationships. Men were more likely than women were to give gifts to escalate relationships to sex/dating and as a materetention tactic. Of all the personality traits examined, it was agreeableness that was correlated with the most reasons to give gifts. Moderation by the sex of the participant suggests that men who are low on extraversion and self-esteem may use gifts to do the "talking" for them.

Modern-day female preferences for resources and provisioning by long-term mates.

“…Gift-giving behaviors of men are also viewed as a type of evolved psychological mechanism to advertise and exaggerate their resources and mate quality to women (Greer & Buss, 1994; Jonason, Cetrulo, Madrid, & Morrison, 2009). Jonason, Tost, and Koenig (2012) collected survey data showing that men were more likely than women to give gifts not only to accelerate interpersonal relationships for sex and dating, but also to maintain their relationship partner. Men, more than women, were reported to use gifts for both courtship and mate retention strategies and were more willing than women to give their long-term partners jewelry, flowers, and presents.…”